Co-Location: Is it Right for your Business?

INTRODUCTION
Finding a data storage solution that meets the needs of businesses has become increasingly difficult. In-house servers and network gear can quickly become outdated and inefficient, while public cloud storage solutions do not always offer the security and permanence that companies require. This is where modern data centers come in.

Data centers have revolutionized the way businesses store their data. Off-site solutions like co-location provide companies with reliable, off-the-grid storage that is easily accessible and secure. This increased need for secure data storage has driven the development of modern data center technology, which ensures that company information remains safe and accessible no matter where it is stored. HostedBizz offers a wide suite of co-location and IaaS services.

What is Co-Location?

Co-location is the process of a third party housing privately-owned servers and networking equipment in an off-site data center (rather than the on-site scenario where servers live within a room or a section of an organization’s own building). You can “co-locate” equipment by renting space in which to store it. 

10 Benefits of Co-Location for Your Enterprise

Co-location offers many benefits to businesses, including increased security, flexibility, and scalability. When co-locating equipment, businesses can choose from a variety of data center providers, each offering different levels of security, connectivity, and power options. Businesses can also work with data center providers to customize their co-location solutions to meet their specific needs. Here’s a more in-depth look at what co-location can do for your business. 

  1. Reliability

With top-notch co-location facilities, companies can enjoy uninterrupted access to the latest technology and secure data backups. Server cooling systems, power, and communication systems are all available on-site, making investments in these measures simple and cost-effective. In addition, data centers offer a measure of security against power outages – something that larger companies may find more important.

  1. Physical Security

No one wants to imagine the potential risks of data theft and system security breaches, but with a data center by your side, you can rest assured that your systems will be safe. Data centers provide heightened levels of physical protection along with strict measures for securing data, including video monitoring, suppression systems, private suites, etc. With these safeguards in place, you can trust that your information will remain secure.

  1. Capability

In today’s world, where bandwidth is constantly at a premium, providers like ours offer customers the flexibility to adjust to higher bandwidth levels as needed. This allows traffic demands to be accommodated without having to make multiple investments. Using co-location, data spikes are distributed over time among numerous users, keeping bandwidth costs low. 

  1. Performance

Electronic equipment is finicky. It performs best when kept in a temperature-controlled, dust-free environment with plenty of airflow. Professional data centers have state-of-the-art cooling systems that keep your electronics running smoothly and at an acceptable temperature. Co-location offers businesses the peace of mind that their equipment is always well taken care of, whether in an office or one of the world’s most advanced data centers.

  1. Third-Party Maintenance

The server support equipment is a critical component of any data center, and it’s often not considered until there’s an issue. Data center design, monitor, and maintain support systems to ensure that servers are running at their best. Dedicated systems and staff ensure that all servers are up to date with the latest security patches and software updates, ensuring optimal performance for the company and its customers.

  1. Speed

With co-location facilities, you can connect to multiple ISPs for top performance in the event of connection interruption or overload. This is a great option if you need a wide range of connection options and don’t want to deal with separately renting multiple internet connections.

  1. Disaster Preparedness

With so much at stake, ensuring that your business-critical assets are protected is essential. A disaster preparedness plan should include redundant infrastructure in place to ensure that operations continue in the event of a major emergency. By following these best practices, you can ensure maximum security and minimize losses in the event of a problem.

  1. Scalability

Co-location facilities with various custom solutions to fit specific industry needs can provide businesses with flexibility when it comes to scaling their solution. Space, power, security, and support can all be tailored specifically to meet customer needs, no matter how big or small. With co-location, your company has the ultimate flexibility to grow or shrink as needed. You only pay for the space and bandwidth you use, so there’s no need to overspend on unnecessary services. 

  1. Cost-Effectiveness

Co-location is becoming increasingly popular for businesses of all sizes because it makes financial sense. By using a third-party hosting provider, costs associated with maintaining and running a data center are removed from the budget but still allow for high-quality service and protection. This means that teams can focus on their core business operations and revenue rather than worry about data storage.

  1.  Service and Support

Hosting providers are essential to the success of any business. They provide the level of service and support necessary to keep your data safe and maintain your website or application. An efficient provider would offer this and have experienced technicians available to help when needed. Additionally, they would provide services such as backup, disaster recovery, and additional security measures built into the service.

At HostedBizz, we know that digital transformation is a big decision. No matter what your experience level with co-location, HostedBizz is there with proven best practices, tested expertise, and modernization tactics. 

Did you know? All of HostedBizz’s infrastructure and data protection solutions are supported by 100% Canadian Tier III data centers. We have recently expanded our data center reach. Learn more here, or book a call today.

About Shannon Peck

Hello! I'm Shannon. Nice to meet you. If you're already a HostedBizz partner, we've likely worked together creating custom collateral, or building lead generation campaigns.

I have been working in the tech marketing industry for well over 15 years, and love helping small and medium businesses reach their full sales potential.

To learn more about how I can help you grow your cloud-based offerings, sign on as a HostedBizz partner, and ask to speak with me! If you're already a partner, feel free to reach out. I'm looking forward to chatting!

- Shannon